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Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), and Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Seafoods, Brian Jardim, peruse a package of fish nuggets during a tour of the entity’s plant on Slipe Road in Kingston, on Friday, May 6.
Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), and Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Seafoods, Brian Jardim, peruse a package of fish nuggets during a tour of the entity’s plant on Slipe Road in Kingston, on Friday, May 6.

Conch Cess to Be Reduced By US$0.25 Cents

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, has announced that there will be a reduction in the cess on local conch from US$0.75 cents to US$0.50 cents per pound, this year. He made the announcement during a press...
Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ Girl of the Year, Shevone Smith (left) and Boy of the Year, Patrick Morris, display their trophies at the National Achievement Day Expo held recently, at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.
Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ Girl of the Year, Shevone Smith (left) and Boy of the Year, Patrick Morris, display their trophies at the National Achievement Day Expo held recently, at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.

Agriculture Minister Announces $2 Million Prize for 4-H Champions
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon J.C. Hutchinson (right), looks on as Portland farmer, Glenton Cole, points out the extent of damage to his farm following recent flood rains. The Minister was on a tour of severely affected farming communities in the parish on Tuesday (May 3).
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon J.C. Hutchinson (right), looks on as Portland farmer, Glenton Cole, points out the extent of damage to his farm following recent flood rains. The Minister was on a tour of severely affected farming communities in the parish on Tuesday (May 3).

Gov’t to Roll out Assistance to Flood-Affected Farmers Next Week
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (centre), in discussion with Chairman of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Norman Grant (left), at the 4-H Clubs 2016 National Achievement Expo, held at the Denbigh Showground, in May Pen, Clarendon, on April 29. At right is Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Dr. Ronald Blake.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (centre), in discussion with Chairman of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Norman Grant (left), at the 4-H Clubs 2016 National Achievement Expo, held at the Denbigh Showground, in May Pen, Clarendon, on April 29. At right is Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Dr. Ronald Blake.

Youth Urged To Seek Careers in Agriculture
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson (right), presents a cheque to student at Marcus Garvey High, Sashel Morris, during a grant presentation ceremony at the Ministry’s offices at 1F North Street in Kingston, on April 29. The grants, which totalled $500,000, were presented to 10 students from various high schools in St. Ann. The money was raised through fund-raising efforts of workers employed to Gebbers Farms in Washington, United States.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson (right), presents a cheque to student at Marcus Garvey High, Sashel Morris, during a grant presentation ceremony at the Ministry’s offices at 1F North Street in Kingston, on April 29. The grants, which totalled $500,000, were presented to 10 students from various high schools in St. Ann. The money was raised through fund-raising efforts of workers employed to Gebbers Farms in Washington, United States.

Farm Workers Donate $500,000 to Students in St. Ann

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Team Leader, Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) Department, Scientific Research Council (SRC), Curtis Deenah.
Agriculture

CEIS Broadens Regional Network

The Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) Department of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) has increased its regional network with the recent addition of The Cayman Islands. The regional energy information network now coordinates the gathering and dissemination of energy information for 19 Caribbean countries. Information provided assists in guiding policy decisions; creating awareness as it relates to the sustainable use...
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AgricultureForeign Affairs

Farmers to Receive Organic Certification

A number of local farmers will receive training and certification in organic standards under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDAT). JAS President, Norman Grant, made the disclosure to JIS News at a food security summit held on April 21 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Downtown, Kingston. Under...
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AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

Gov’t to Build Banana and Plantain Processing Plant in St. Mary

The Government is to construct a banana and plantain processing plant at the All Island Banana Growers Association’s (AIBGA) premises at Trinity in St. Mary. Some $143 million has been provided in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure for the facility and other activities under the Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAMS) project. Implemented in October 2013, the project aims to combat...
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AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

Small Ruminant Industry to be Improved

The Government is to complete the procurement of 200 goat embryos for assisted breeding this fiscal year, to improve the quality and efficiency of the small ruminant industry. A sum of $34.7 million has been allocated in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure to carry out this and other initiatives under the Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock through the Production of...
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AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

60 Gravity Drip Irrigation Systems to be Installed

A total of 60 gravity drip irrigation systems are to be installed and commissioned this fiscal year, to improve agricultural outcomes in targeted communities. A sum of $110.4 million has been set aside in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure to carry out this and other activities under the Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas project. The...
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AgricultureBudget 2016/2017Environment

$19 Million to Improve Resilience of Vulnerable Areas

The capacity of the island’s vulnerable communities to improve their resilience to climate change and other risk factors has been further boosted with an allocation of $19.6 million. As outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, the money has been provided  under the ‘Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas’  project. The project aims to protect the...
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AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

Sugar Cane Pilot Project gets $2.38 Billion

A pilot project to reap a minimum of 300 hectares of sugar cane using green harvesting techniques is to be implemented by September 30, 2016. This activity is to be carried out under the Sugar Transformation Programme for which the Government has allocated $2.38 billion in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure. The programme seeks to develop a sustainable private sector-led...
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